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Sunday, 30 July 2017

I can't believe we're moving into the first week of August already - the first seven months of the year have flown by.

However, the best thing about this is that it means the football season is almost upon us - praise the Lord!

Last week we saw the Essex Senior League get underway, while this week things start to get really serious as all three divisions of the EFL start and we also get to enjoy the opening round of the FA Cup.

There's also a huge weekend of action at Wembley where Spurs welcome Italian champions Juventus to their new temporary home on Saturday while Arsenal take on Chelsea less than 24 hours later in the FA Community Shield.

The Tottenham game has proved to be a bit controversial as promoters initially advertised the tickets at a ridiculously high price causing many to actively boycott the game while others were simply unable to afford it.

With sales struggling, prices have since been slashed so you should be able to get a ticket for the 530pm kick-off. The other good thing about the late start is that you can combine it with other games if you want to see more than one on Saturday.

One choice, which a German friend of mine has gone for, is the National League opening-day game between Sutton United and Leyton Orient which starts at 1230pm. Although way down in south London, you'll have three hours to get between games.

Alternatively, you could avoid the Spurs game and see another match much closer to Sutton. The nearest is the friendly between Carshalton Athletic and Dulwich Hamlet which should be decent enough.

Talking of the FA Cup, if you're thinking of having a go at completing the 'Road To Wembley' and seeing a game in every round, you might want to have a look at the book just below.

The FA Cup starts this weekend - here's how you get to see a game in every round

Written by TLFG reader A E Greb, you can discover how he managed to see not only a game in every round but also a replay too as he made it all the way to the national stadium back in the 2011/12 season. A number of today's big stars emerged at lower division clubs that year and he was also at Spurs for one of the most dramatic footballing events of the year.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are almost 100 matches in and around the London area over the next seven days with several Premier League sides, a number of top European clubs and EFL teams all in action. There are also one or two new ground openings too.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright's autobiography has proved to be one of the most popular football books of the year

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Monday 31 JulyPre-season friendliesWelling United v Millwall XI @745pm - the week begins with a south-east London derby at Park View Road. After a bad start, the Wings finished last season fairly strongly and have an outside chance of the National League South play-offs. The Lions are back in the Championship this season and will probably field one or two first-teamers as they have no further friendlies before the new campaign begins on SaturdayCorinthian Casuals v Bristol Rovers @745pm - the hosts have landed a prestigious friendly against League One promotion contenders Rovers. According to the Pirates' website, this is a first team game so a strong side is expected
-------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday 1 AugustPre-season friendliesLeyton Orient v Arsenal U23 @745pm - the O's conclude their pre-season programme with this testing fixture against the Gunners' talented youngstersTooting & Mitcham United v Crystal Palace U23 @730pm - the Terrors are back in the seventh tier for the first time in a few years. After a dodgy start to pre-season, they've won their last two and scored eight in the process. The Eagles' youngsters play the odd game at Imperial Fields so should know the ground well

Essex Senior LeagueHackney Wick v Tower Hamlets @745pm - the Wickers only formed in 2015 but they've grown rapidly and are playing their first season in the ninth tier Essex Senior League. Their campaign got underway on Saturday with an impressive 3-1 win at Burnham Ramblers. This east London derby against Tower Hamlets will be their first competitive home game since moving in to share with Clapton

--------------------------------------------------------------Wednesday 2 AugustPre-season friendlyAveley v Dulwich Hamlet @745pm - after spending many decades at Mill Field, Aveley open their impressive new Parkside facility with this friendly against the Hamlet

Essex Senior LeagueIlford v Clapton @745pm - the ESL fixture computer has thrown up another great east London derby on Wednesday night as two more near neighbours meet. The hosts went top on Saturday after beating the newly reformed Woodford Town 2017 5-0

Outside LondonSouthampton v FC Augsburg @745pm - the pick of the games outside the capital is the Saints' match against Bundesliga opponents Augsburg who aren't expected to do too well this season. The last train back to London is at 11pm so getting back shouldn't be a problem
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Thursday 3 August

Pre-season friendliesCray Wanderers v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - the Wands will be looking for an improvement on their 11th-place finish in what was the Ryman South last season. On Thursday they entertain a tough Wanderers side who won the division's play-offs

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Friday 4 August

Enfield Town v Barton Rovers @745pm - aside from a loss to Chelmsford City, the Towners have won all four of their other friendlies and scored a whopping 21 goals in the process. Barton play a level below Enfield but made the Southern League Division 1 Central play-off final last season

Outside London

Leicester City v Borussia Monchengladbach @745pm - the Foxes end their pre-season against Bundesliga opposition. Die Fohlen finished ninth last season and recently signed English youngster Reece Oxford on loan from West Ham. The last train back to London is at 958pm so you might have to duck out early or drive

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Saturday 5 AugustPre-season friendlies

Tottenham Hotspur v Juventus @530pm - the runners-up in the Premier League take on the runners-up in the Champions League in what should be the game of the week at Wembley. I say 'should' because the tickets were initially very expensive and didn't sell. Prices have since been slashed so hopefully there'll be a decent crowd

Crystal Palace v Schalke 04 @3pm - the Eagles also welcome Bundesliga opponents as they prepare for the new season. After the success of the early 2000s, Schalke have had a fairly lean few years and finished 10th last season

Watford v Real Sociedad @3pm - the Hornets celebrate the life and achievements of former manager Graham Taylor who sadly died in January. There will be lots of family activities from noon and tickets are £10 for the visit of Sociedad who have qualified for this season's Europa League

Championship

Fulham v Norwich City @3pm - the Cottagers made the play-offs last season but have struggled to get going so far this summer with an 8-2 defeat to Chelsea at Cobham being the low point. However, they are still among the favourites to go upQueens Park Rangers v Reading @3pm - after a pretty underwhelming pre-season which strangely included not one but two friendlies against the Royals on the same day at the start of July (both lost), QPR welcome their old rivals from the Thames Valley for the first match of the new season. Jaap Stam's side made the play-off final last season and will be favourites to win here

League OneCharlton Athletic v Bristol Rovers @3pm - the Addicks start 2017/18 with a home game against Rovers who finished just three places above them last season. Both have a good chance of making the play-offs this time round

National LeagueSutton United v Leyton Orient @1230pm - definitely the game of the day at this level, the U's derby match against recently relegated Orient is being shown live on BT Sport hence the early kick-off. Even though they enjoyed a remarkable FA Cup run last season, Sutton were well off the pace in the league and will want to improve in that respect. The O's were devastated by off-pitch problems last season but buoyed by new owners they are expected to do much better this time

National League SouthDartford v Hungerford Town @3pm - both these sides finished in the top six last season - the Darts made the play-offs and Hungerford would've done too if ground-grading issues hadn't controversially prevented them. Unsurprisingly, they're both fancied to do well again in 2017/18

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round - also known as the opening round of the FA Cup. If you want to do 'The Road To Wembley' and see a game in every round then this is where you have to start. 370 clubs from all over the country enter at this stage, most of whom play in the ninth and 10th tiers of the English game. Winners of each tie receive prize money of £1,500. Below I've picked a few of the notable ties - there are othersAC London v Crawley Down Gatwick @3pm - formed as recently as 2012, the hosts are entering the FA Cup for the first time this season. They've had a nomadic existence over the last five years and will start this season groundsharing at Whyteleafe. However, at the time of writing, the Leafe have a friendly scheduled for the same time as this game and AC are keeping everyone, including their opponents, in the dark as to where and when it's being played! Hopefully we'll get some clarification before Saturday (UPDATE: this match has been switched to Crawley Down)Glebe v Lordswood @3pm - Glebe were primarily a junior club until recently but since putting out a senior side as well, they've gone from strength-to-strength. Always there or thereabouts in the Kent Invicta League/SCEFL Division 1, the Chislehurst-based club got promoted last season and should be ones to watch again this yearHackney Wick v Long Melford @3pm - as was previously mentioned above, the Wickers are also relative newcomers to football at this level. I think I'm right in saying that this is the most centrally located tie of the day with the game taking place at London's oldest ground - the Old Spotted DogHanworth Villa v Bedfont & Feltham @3pm - we've got a local derby over near Heathrow. Hanworth are usually among the frontrunners in the Combined Counties League and will start as favourites against B&F who suffered relegation last season to the CCL Division 1

Spartan South Midlands League Division 1Enfield Borough v Harefield United @3pm - the Panthers only formed last season and won promotion from the SSML Division 2 at the first attempt. Head down to Donkey Lane to see how this ambitious young club fare at the higher level

Other friendliesAveley v Harlow Town @2pm & Grays Athletic v Sittingbourne @430pm - despite moving to their new Parkside ground this season, the Millers will still be groundsharing with Grays. The two play friendlies back-to-back on Saturday but at this stage it's unclear whether one ticket will get you in for both or whether re-entry will be requiredCorinthian Casuals v Crystal Palace U23 @3pm - after hosting Bristol Rovers on Monday, CCs bring their pre-season to an end with this game against the Eagles' development side

Outside London

Southampton v Sevilla @3pm - the Saints end pre-season with this attractive fixture against one of the biggest names in Spanish football. The Andalucian club finished fourth last season and beat RB Leipzig and Arsenal in the Emirates Cup this weekend

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Sunday 6 August

The FA Community Shield Arsenal v Chelsea @2pm - you know the new Premier League season is almost upon us when this charity match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners takes place at Wembley. This year we have a big London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. The two only met last week in China where the Blues won comfortably and you'd have to fancy them again here

FA Cup Extra Preliminary RoundBarkingside v Stowmarket Town @3pm - the Side groundshare at Ilford and have consequently had to wait until Sunday to play this tie against opponents from Suffolk. Located a short walk from Seven Kings station, this is a pretty easy one to get toEpsom & Ewell v Banstead Athletic @3pm - in the other tie of the day we've got a Surrey derby to look forward to. Sadly, unlike the match above, Chipstead's ground where E&E play is almost unreachable without a car

Outside LondonBrighton & Hove Albion v Atletico Madrid @4pm - possibly the best 'outside London' friendly of the summer, the Seagulls prepare for their first season in the Premier League with this eye-catching friendly against Diego Simeone's team. The Spanish giants have qualified for the Champions League again and should provide formidable opposition

AFC Bournemouth v Napoli @730pm - talking of Champions League opponents, the Cherries have lined up a friendly against another one. After finishing third in Italy last season, Napoli will add a touch of glamour to proceedings at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday. The last train from Bournemouth to London is at 1006pm so you should be able to get back ok

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GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

NEED HELP?

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Readers last week may remember my aspiration to go and watch Carshalton Athletic take on QPR but it didn't happen as childcare intervened.

However, I engaged in something far more rewarding on Wednesday when I joined a work party at Earlsmead Stadium cleaning up the ground ahead of the forthcoming friendly between Harrow Borough and a Cardiff City XI (Saturday 29 July, 2pm).

For any German readers planning a trip to watch a game in London - this is the book for you

Having seen an advert for volunteers on the club's website, I headed down there on my day off and introduced myself to the team leader Noel who put me to work with a fellow vice-president Michael.

Our first task was to head to the main stand and reach down into the gap between the back row of seats and the wall and retrieve all the rubbish that had been dumped there over the previous season or two. We brought up all kinds of stuff including many polystyrene cups and chip holders, bottles, cans, crisp packets and even a couple of old Hendon programmes from when they were groundsharing.

Next up we de-mossed the terrace behind one of the goals and then finished up by weeding one of the car parks. It all took about two-and-half hours.

Although not glamorous work, I'd done my bit for a club I'd supported pretty much remotely for the best part of 25 years but most importantly I'd got to meet some of the people who make the club tick - something I'd been meaning to do for a while.

A bin full of weeds - the product of a fine morning's graft

Non-league clubs up and down the country are always looking for volunteers to do all kinds of jobs and can offer great work experience opportunities if you're trying to build up your CV so contact your local one if this is something that could be of interest to you.

The other thing to note this week is that aside from all the friendlies, we have some competitive football too. The Essex Senior League season starts on Saturday, we've got a couple of games in the opening round of the Herts Charity Shield and we've also got the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup which could be a cracker.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 100 matches in and around the London area over the next seven days with several Premier League sides, a number of top European clubs and EFL teams playing friendlies.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

This comprehensive guide is currently one of the UK's best selling football books

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

In the following section I list, by day, what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.Monday 24 JulyEdgware Town v FC Deportivo Galicia @730pm - the pick of the friendlies sees the Wares host up and coming side FCDG. Promoted from the Middlesex County Football League into the 10th tier at the end of last season, the club who are primarily made up of players with Spanish heritage, will look to test themselves against a team from the level above
-------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday 25 JulyCharlton Athletic v Norwich City @745pm - the biggest game in London on Tuesday is this friendly between the League One Addicks and Norwich who are fancied to do well in the ChampionshipMiddlesex Senior Cup Final @730pm - there's some real silverware at stake over at the Beveree where Hampton & Richmond Borough host Wealdstone. This game has been held over from last season after Hampton's qualification for the National League South play-offsHayes & Yeading United v Harrow Borough @745pm - the hosts have been given permission to host this friendly against local rivals Harrow at their newly built stadium, however, only part of the ground will be open

Outside LondonSouthend United v Brighton & Hove Albion @745pm - a short journey east of London will take you to the Essex seaside town of Southend where the local League One side have landed this friendly against Premier League newcomers Brighton
--------------------------------------------------------------Wednesday 26 JulyThurrock v Southend United XI @745pm - the hosts won promotion back to the seventh tier last season and welcome a Shrimpers squad for an Essex derby

Outside LondonLuton Town v Leicester City @745pm - the Hatters are favourites for the League Two title and they've managed to arrange this high profile friendly against the 2015/16 Premier League champions
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Thursday 27 July

Boreham Wood v Arsenal XI @730pm - the Wood have very strong links with the Gunners and a pre-season game between the two has become an annual event. The Premier League side will probably only field members of their U23 side but there could be one or two recognisable faces

CB Hounslow United v Walton Casuals @730pm - the Combined Counties League side played the first match at their new ground on Saturday. If you're a groundhopper who didn't make it to that and would like to tick it off your list, this is your chance

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Friday 28 July

Sutton United v Norwich City XI @745pm - the U's penultimate pre-season game sees them take on a side from the Canaries. Sutton have been recreating their famous FA Cup run of the late '80s this summer by playing Coventry who they famously beat and now Norwich who eventually knocked them out

Greenwich Borough v Millwall XI @745pm - with former Millwall player Gary Alexander now manager at Greenwich, a pre-season game against the Lions is becoming an annual fixture. The hosts should be among the favourites for the Bostik South title this season

Outside London

MK Dons v Leicester City @745pm - the Foxes play their second friendly of the week just to the north of the capital with this match against League One opposition

Aldershot Town v AFC Wimbledon @730pm - if the thought of attending a game at Stadium:MK is too much, head down to Hampshire where two phoenix clubs meet at the Recreation Ground

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Saturday 29 July

The Emirates Cup - this annual tournament hosted by Arsenal is one of the highlights of the pre-season period in London. The opening day this year features games between Red Bull Leipzig and Sevilla (2pm) and Arsenal and Benfica (420pm)

Brentford v Celta Vigo @3pm - the Bees end their pre-season campaign against Spanish top flight side Vigo. The Galician club finished finished 13th in La Liga last season so should provide a decent test for Dean Smith's team

Fulham v Wolfsburg @3pm - there's a European flavour to proceedings at Craven Cottage too where German outfit Wolfsburg provide the opposition

Queens Park Rangers v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - it seems west London is the place to be for football on Saturday with QPR playing at home too. This fixture against the Cherries is being used as a benefit match for Stan Bowles, arguably the club's best ever player. One of the biggest characters of English football in the '70s, the Mancunian is now suffering from Alzheimer's so proceeds from the game will go to him

Millwall v Granada @3pm - now back in the Championship, the Lions welcome Granada from the parallel second tier in Spain. The Chinese owned club suffered relegation last season and will no doubt be wanting to bounceback straight away

Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town @3pm - having started the week playing against Norwich, the Addicks end it with a game against the Canaries' biggest rivals Ipswich. The Tractor Boys are usually among the contenders in the Championship but had a disappointing 2016/17 campaign

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Salford City @3pm - the Beavers have lined up this game against one of the most famous non-league clubs in the country. Part-owned and run by former Manchester United stars Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, Salford have found themselves the subject of a prime time TV documentary series. Since the takeover, the Ammies have also enjoyed a couple of promotions and an excellent FA Cup run. Proceeds from this match will be going to Bliss who help premature and sick babies

Outside London

Derby County v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim @3pm - although quite a way north of London, Derby can be reached by train from St Pancras in less than 90 minutes and the stadium is close to the station. Hoffenheim finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season to qualify for the Champions League

Reading v Vitesse Arnhem @3pm - the Royals, managed by Jaap Stam, made the Championship play-off final last season but were beaten by Huddersfield. On Saturday they welcome the Dutch Cup winners to the Madejski Stadium (Correction: this match is being played at Wycombe Wanderers' ground)

Slough Town v West Bromwich Albion @3pm - the Rebels play host to the Baggies at their new Arbour Park ground for the testimonial of long serving physio Kevin McGoldrick. This match is ALL TICKET so you must purchase in advance

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Sunday 30 July

The Emirates Cup - day two of the tournament at the Emirates Stadium sees RB Leipzig play Benfica (2pm) and Arsenal take on Sevilla (420pm)

Outside London

AFC Bournemouth v Valencia @3pm - end your weekend with a trip to the Dorset coast and the chance to see one of the biggest names in Spanish football. Bournemouth has one of the best sandy beaches in southern England and is a direct train ride from Waterloo or Clapham Junction

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GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

NEED HELP?

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Monday, 17 July 2017

Hi there and welcome to third edition of TLFG for the 2017/18 pre-season.

UPDATE (18/07/17): After the rather threadbare offering I produced on Sunday night, here's the re-booted, fleshed out version.

If you didn't see the original, I fell behind schedule because I spent last week on holiday in the central Turkish city of Konya.

If you haven't been, it's packed with culture, history and lots of great food. One of the most striking things is that the overwhelming amount of visitors are Turkish meaning on the downside not many people speak English but conversely everything is really cheap.

A proud moment - getting my hands on the Turkish Cup

Not only was my flight and hotel package ridiculously good value (£285 for a week's B&B in a 5-star spa hotel with flight included) but all of the main attractions charged under £2 entrance for adults with some of them completely free. Kids never paid anything and playgrounds of really high quality were everywhere.

My personal highlight was of course football related and came in the form of getting my hands on the Turkish Cup which local side Konyaspor won for the first time last season and were parading in a local shopping centre. I also bought one of their third choice shirts for under £20 in the club shop where my daughter was fussed over and given not one but two club balloons to keep her entertained. I will definitely be keeping a close eye on their progress in this season's Europa League.

This week the preparations for Non-League Day will start to hot up. I've got a meeting with Kick It Out on Thursday and need to upload lots of fixtures on to the event's match map so people can see what's on.

I also hope to get to a game myself on Saturday with Carshalton Athletic v QPR U23s looking quite likely - a friend's teenage son has just signed for the host's first team so it could be a big afternoon for him.

On my way back from Stansted airport yesterday I passed Tottenham's new ground which is going up impressively fast. If you're a Spurs fan or like a bit of football nostalgia, BBC reporter Chris Slegg has written a book all about White Hart Lane and included some great stories and anecdotes associated with the old ground which was one of my favourites.

A great read for football historians, particularly the Spurs fans amongst them

I've also been made aware that there are some websites out there charging people for advice on how to visit football matches here in England. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing this, please be aware that I offer a very similar service for free so you could easily save yourself $50 for even the most basic information.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 100 matches in and around the London area over the next seven days with three Premier League and several EFL sides playing friendlies.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

A fine summer read if football tactics are your thing

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

In the following section I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.

1. BRENTFORD v SOUTHAMPTON

The Bees' first pre-season home game sees them welcome the Saints. The Premier League side got their preparations underway on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against St Gallen in Switzerland and should bring a strong side to Griffin Park. If the chance to see a top-flight side in action wasn't already enough, all profits from the game are going to the Grenfell Tower fire appeal. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

2. PORTSMOUTH v BOURNEMOUTH
If you fancy a trip to the coast on Saturday, this is the game for you. The train from Waterloo to Fratton leaves every half an hour and takes just under 90 minutes. If you leave London early, you can also take in Portsmouth's historic dockyard or take a boat trip around the naval base - last time I went, one of the US Navy's nuclear submarines had just arrived after a two-day voyage from New York. I digress - this game is a south-coast derby and fans are being urged to buy in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

3. CRAWLEY TOWN v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
A little to the south of Gatwick Airport you've got the chance to see another Premier League side in a Sussex derby. Harry Kewell's team welcome the Seagulls who returned to the top division for the first time since 1983 when they finished runners-up to Newcastle in the Championship. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

4. BARNET v MILLWALL
Up at The Hive we've got a London derby to look forward to with the Bees of League Two hosting the Championship's Lions. These two have only ever met three times in competition with Millwall winning 4-0 in north London last August. Barnet shouldn't be too overawed though, pre-season has seen them win all three of their games including victories over sides from Swansea and West Ham. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

5. AFC WIMBLEDON v BURTON ALBION
Get your weekend off to a good start with some Friday night football at Kingsmeadow. The Dons began their pre-season with an entertaining 3-2 win over Watford on Saturday and next face the challenge of Burton. As one of the smallest clubs in the division, the Brewers did extremely well to survive their first season in the Championship under boss Nigel Clough. (Friday 21 July, 745pm. Club info)

6. OXFORD UNITED v BRENTFORD
Got some time off or visiting London for a few days? A midweek away day to Oxford to see the sights of the historic city with a bit of football thrown in could be for you. The U's narrowly missed out on a League One play-off place last season and have a shot at going one better this time. This will be the Bees' first game after returning from their training camp in France. (Wednesday 19 July, 745pm. Club info)

7. STEVENAGE v CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Addicks head just beyond the northern fringes of London for this game against League Two opposition after enjoying back-to-back wins over Welling and Greenwich on Saturday afternoon/evening. The Hertfordshire side held Norwich to a draw last week so should provide a decent test. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

8. EBBSFLEET UNITED v SOUTHEND UNITED
The hosts won the National League South play-offs last season to return to the fifth tier. Pre-season has so far produced defeats against Shrewsbury Town and Tonbridge Angels and tough fixtures against Tottenham and Cambridge are scheduled before this one. League One side Southend hail from Essex, a few miles downstream on the other side of the Thames. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

9. BOREHAM WOOD v LUTON TOWN
The Wood are one of the minnows of the National League so it's great credit to the team running the side that they're preparing for another season in the fifth tier. On Saturday they welcome former top-flight side Luton who are now one of this season's favourites for the League Two title. The Hatters should bring a significant following as only a short train ride separates the two towns. (Saturday 22 July, 3pm. Club info)

10. ALDERSHOT TOWN v CHELSEA U23
The Shots have a busy pre-season and this is likely to draw a decent crowd. Chelsea's U23 team is packed with talent and they often use Aldershot's ground for their Premier League 2 games. On Saturday the development squad played two games against EFL opposition back-to-back, a 1-1 draw with Crawley and a 5-1 win over Southend. Gary Waddock's Aldershot side have struggled in the games they've played so far, so this could be really tough. (Wednesday 19 July, 7pm. Club info)

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

NEED HELP?

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Sunday, 9 July 2017

First up can I say thank you to all those who sent kind comments on the blog's return last week and to everyone in general for continuing to read - it got some of its best traffic ever last week. It goes without saying that without the positivity you send me I wouldn't bother so cheers!

I was working all kinds of anti-social hours this week so didn't get to see any live football but I know some of you did and it was good to see your pictures and comments on Facebook and Twitter.

Alerted by his and Newcastle fan Frankie Sherwood's plight a few months ago, I looked into becoming a blood platelet donor and after several failed attempts at getting through the screening process (administrative errors rather than health), I went for my first donation session on Wednesday.

Tucked away at the back of St George's Hospital in Tooting is a special permanent blood donation centre where you can do regular blood donation, platelets, plasma and quite possibly other things too.

After a health screening, members of the team tell you what to expect, explain the process and show you the machine that will carry it out.

Unlike blood donation where they take about a pint out, with this process they take out the blood, filter off the platelets and put the rest back into you.

In total I was wired up to the machine for a little over an hour but was supplied with regular cups of tea and had live tennis from Wimbledon on a large TV to keep me entertained. You can bring a tablet, phone or other entertainment equipment if you wish.

In all honesty I did feel a bit spaced out during the procedure and for up to an hour afterwards but I was back to normal after that.

Apparently platelets don't last as long as blood so they have to be used quickly, but donors can give platelets far more frequently than blood - every two weeks in some cases, though most people leave it a month.

If you've never given blood or would like to try donating platelets I urge you to look into it. It really doesn't take that much effort and literally keeps people alive whether they've been in an accident, are going through chemotherapy or had a tough time giving birth. I even read about one person whose rare condition meant that fresh blood would stop her going blind. The list is of people you could help is long.

Aside from all the friendlies taking place this week, we also have the Star Sixes at the O2 Arena in North Greenwich. I'm not really into 'Legends' matches or tournaments and don't usually cover them but this does look like quite a big deal with some pretty decent names so if that's your thing check out the event's website for more information.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are almost 100 matches in and around the London area over the next seven days with three Premier League and several EFL sides playing friendlies.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

A fine summer read if football tactics are your thing

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

In the following section I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.

1. AFC WIMBLEDON v WATFORD

The Dons get their pre-season underway with a visit from the Premier League Hornets. The south-west Londoners had a better than expected campaign last year and were within touching distance of the League One play-off places until the latter stages when they fell away. Watford did really well just to avoid relegation and a third consecutive season in the top flight is some achievement. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

2. BARNET v SWANSEA CITY
The Bees recorded an impressive 5-0 win at Maidstone on Saturday as their preparations for the new season got off to a flying start. Next up they've managed to land a prestigious friendly against Premier League opposition which should be a lot tougher. How strong a side the Swans field is unsure but it is listed as a first-team game on their website. (Wednesday 12 July, 745pm. Club info)

3. MAIDSTONE UNITED v CRYSTAL PALACE
One of the hottest tickets of the week is for this match in Kent. To celebrate five years at the Gallagher Stadium, the Stones have lined up a visit from the Eagles and it has completely sold out. If their performance against League Two outfit Barnet is anything to go by, we could get a cricket score! (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

4. PETERBOROUGH UNITED v QUEENS PARK RANGERS
This game is quite a way north of London and wouldn't normally make the cut but it does because it features a London club and the train ride from Kings Cross takes only 45 minutes - the stadium is then walkable from the station. League One club Peterborough drew 0-0 at non-league St Albans on Saturday whilst QPR played two and lost two squad games against Reading behind closed doors. Games between these two are rarely classics but it gives you the chance to get out of London and explore what is a cathedral city. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

5. CAMBRIDGE UNITED v NORWICH CITY
Like Peterborough, Cambridge is a fair distance outside London but it too can be reached in 45 minutes from Kings Cross. The city is also a fine destination in its own right, with its world famous university and museums, so could make for a good summer day trip with a bit of football thrown in. The U's missed out on the League Two play-offs by just four points last season and are 4-1 to get promoted this time. Norwich finished eighth in the Championship and will hope for at least a top-six place this year. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

6. WELLING UNITED v CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The annual pre-season clash between these two south-east London neighbours takes place on Saturday. Both sides have had a rocky couple of years but both consolidated their respective positions in the National League South and League One. With only a few weeks to go until the big kick-off, the bookies think it could be a good year for the Addicks with most offering odds of 5-1 on them getting promoted. If you can't make it to this game or want a double helping, Charlton are also playing another game against Greenwich Borough, a short journey away, later the same day at 730pm. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

7. DARTFORD v GILLINGHAM
Tony Burman's side held Millwall to a 1-1 draw on Saturday and next face a derby against fellow Kent club Gillingham. The Darts will be hoping for at least a play-off place in the National League South this season while the Gills will probably be more than happy with a midtable finish after finishing just above the League One relegation places last time. (Tuesday 11 July, 730pm. Club info)

8. CRAWLEY TOWN v CHELSEA XI
Harry Kewell's side thrashed East Grinstead on Saturday but should face much stiffer opposition from whichever squad the Blues send to Sussex for this one. With none of the big stars likely to play, we should get an opportunity to take a look at some of the young talent that Chelsea usually have stockpiled behind closed doors at their Cobham training ground. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

9. EBBSFLEET UNITED v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI
The Fleet won the National League South play-offs last season to return to the fifth tier after four years away. On Saturday they welcome a squad from Spurs and are hoping for a big crowd as all profits will be donated to the Paul McCarthy Memorial Fund - the previous Ebbsfleet captain and assistant manager died suddenly at the age of 45. (Saturday 15 July, 3pm. Club info)

10. SJP COMMUNITY CUP
Taking place over Saturday and Sunday we have a four-team competition being hosted by Hendon at their Silver Jubilee Park ground. Alongside the Greens, you'll get to see sides from Hayes & Yeading United, Hemel Hempstead Town and Hitchin Town. The semi-finals get underway at 1pm on Saturday with a third-place play-off and final from 1pm the following day. To top it all it's only £5 a day to attend. (Saturday & Sunday 15/16 July, from 1pm. Club info)

---------------------------------------------------------------

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

Sunday, 2 July 2017

Hi there and welcome to the first TLFG of the 2017/18 season - the last six weeks have really flown by!

How was your off-season? Did you get to see any of the impressive England youth sides in action, head to Russia for the Confederations Cup or maybe you were in the States to see some MLS games?

What have I been up to? Well I've launched this year's Non-League Day (7 October), worked on a polling station during the General Election, had a job interview (result pending) and ran a 10km near the Olympic Stadium getting my second fastest time.

However, the biggest thing to affect me was undoubtedly the Grenfell Tower fire. This block is exactly one mile from where I live so I got woken by the helicopters circling it in the early hours of 14 June.

With mainstream news sources not covering the disaster in its early stages, I gathered there was a problem developing via the Metropolitan Police's Twitter feed but it still wasn't clear how bad it was.

On getting up for work, the news channels were broadcasting nothing else with the images of the block engulfed in flames horrifying all who watched.

As I headed out to work, the smell of the burning building immediately hit my nostrils and the otherwise brilliantly blue sky was tainted by a large thick cloud of smoke drifting out to the west of London.

As the day unfolded, it was clear a terrible tragedy had taken place - although far smaller in scale it will probably become West London's 9/11 with everyone in the area affected in some way.

With the Hammersmith & City Tube line closed since the fire, I travelled into work on it for the first time since it reopened earlier this week. The tower is located very close to Latimer Road station and as you pass you get to see what's left of the totally devastated building.

Those couple of seconds spent looking out of the window at the large charred building provided possibly the most sobering sight of my life with the mountains of debris strewn all around its base providing some idea of what it must have been like on the night - men in white boiler suits, masks and hardhats were picking through it all when I went past a couple of days ago.

One of the few positives to come out of it all has been the community response which has been fantastic with donations of time, space and money pouring in from all quarters - London really outshone itself and reminded me once again why I'm proud and lucky enough to live here.

Right, now you came here for football information so lets make sure you get some.

The first handful of friendlies got underway this weekend so I know a few of you have already been out to the likes of Bedfont Sports and Colliers Wood United to get your first football fix of the summer.

Most of the action gets cracking this week though with Saturday particularly having a lot to offer.

Like last year, I've cast the net a bit wider than normal and have included a few interesting games from beyond the boundaries of the capital. These will all include Premier League or Football League clubs who have announced an intention to take a first-team squad to the game.

For groundhoppers there are new stadiums to look forward to in the coming season with the grounds at Aveley and CB Hounslow United immediately springing to mind.

It will also be interesting to see how Tottenham get on at Wembley. I'm sure longstanding hardcore supporters will have more than a few grumbles but for more casual fans, neutrals and tourists the move to the national stadium should almost guarantee a source of Premier League tickets at reasonable prices.

So I think that's it from me. It's great to be back. Enjoy your football watching and let me know what you've been up to.

THE WEEK AHEAD

There are over 50 matches in the London area over the next seven days with one Premier League and several EFL sides playing friendlies in and around the capital.

However, please make sure you check with clubs before you traveljust in case a game has been called offor venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

A fine summer read if football tactics are your thing

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

In the following section I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.

1. WOKING v WATFORD

The game of the week takes place just outside London in the leafy Surrey suburbs. National League Woking play host to the Premier League Hornets - the only one of our local top flight sides in action this early. The match is listed as a first team game for Watford and will be the first in charge for new boss Marco Silva. It's pretty easy to get out to Woking with trains from Waterloo and Clapham Junction leaving frequently and taking only 20-30 minutes. (Saturday 8 July, 3pm. Club info)

2. ALDERSHOT TOWN v BRENTFORD
The night before just a few miles beyond Woking, we've got a decent looking game between another National League side and the Bees from the Championship. Again, this is listed as a first-team game for the visitors so they should field a decent line-up. Like Woking, Aldershot is also easy to get to from Waterloo and Clapham Junction and the stadium is very close to the station. (Friday 7 July, 730pm. Club info)

3. DARTFORD v MILLWALL
The Darts finished third in the National League South last season but sadly didn't get through the play-offs. They'll hope for another strong showing this time round and begin their pre-season with this match against the Lions who are back in the Championship for 2017/18 after winning the League One play-offs at Wembley back in May. Links between these two clubs are strong with the Lions playing a number of their U23 games at Princes Park last season. (Saturday 8 July, 3pm. Club info)

4. SUTTON UNITED v COVENTRY CITY
These two clubs created a bit of FA Cup history when they met way back in 1989. Sutton were a non-league side as they are today but Coventry were up in the top flight and had won the FA Cup in 1987. Against all the odds, Sutton won 2-1 to create huge headlines around the football world. Fast forward 28 years and Sutton are famous again after making it to the fifth round in last season's competition but sadly things are very different for the Sky Blues who suffered another relegation and come into this as a League Two side so it should be pretty close again. (Saturday 8 July, 3pm. Club info)

5. MAIDSTONE UNITED v BARNET
Back in the late '80s this would have been one of non-league's heavyweight contests with these two contesting the Conference title. They both made it up into the Football League but sadly for Maidstone they went bust pretty quickly and took a long time to recover. Now back in the fifth tier they have a fine ground and large fan base and will hope to improve on last season's disappointing showing. Barnet are in League Two and giving young coach Rossi Eames another go as manager this season after holding the post briefly as caretaker during the last campaign. Again, this is outside London with direct trains to Maidstone running from Victoria. (Saturday 8 July, 3pm. Club info)

6. ST ALBANS CITY v PETERBOROUGH UNITED
This Hertfordshire 'city' just beyond the M25 plays host to one of my favourite non-league grounds. The Saints' Clarence Park is packed with charm and sits within the confines of the public park of the same name. It's leafy, green and has an old stand which harks back to yesteryear. It's also very close to St Albans station which is quickly reached on the Thameslink service from Blackfriars and St Pancras. Former Arsenal player Ian Allinson is currently in charge and he'll be looking for a play-off spot in the National League South this season. Perennial League One play-off contenders Peterborough have recently installed former player Grant McCann as boss so he'll want to get off to a good start here. (Saturday 8 July, 3pm. Club info)

7. SLOUGH TOWN v WYCOMBE WANDERERS
As with the Maidstone game above, this used to be a huge non-league game between sides on either side of the Berkshire/Buckinghamshire county line. Both located just outside London and with significant followings these games often drew significant crowds. Since the '80s Wycombe have cemented their place in the Football League while Slough have suffered a period of great instability and have been without a stadium of their own since 2003. However, that has now been rectified and they start this season at the very fine Arbour Park back in the town centre and should be a club to watch. Please note that this match is expected to draw a big crowd again and has been made ALL TICKET which means you must buy in advance - no tickets will be available on the day. (Saturday 8 July, 130pm. Club info)

8. HITCHIN TOWN v LUTON TOWN
Just to the north of London, Southern League Hitchin have landed this friendly against near neighbours Luton who are one of the favourites for the League Two title. Both sides suffered play-off heartbreak in their respective divisions last season so will be hoping to put that right in 2017/18. The Hatters have confirmed that this will be a first-team fixture so will be sending a strong side. (Wednesday 5 July, 745pm. Club info)

9. HITCHIN TOWN v STEVENAGE
The Canaries follow up the Luton game with another derby against another League Two opponent. Stevenage finished 10th last season and are fancied to have an outside shot at the play-offs this time round. Again a first-team squad is expected to be sent to Top Field. (Saturday 8 July. 3pm. Club info)

10. EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN v CRAWLEY TOWN
My last recommendation this week takes place in the Sussex town of East Grinstead so provides a good option if you're located on the south side of London and want to get out of the city for the day. This is a derby with the Bostik League side welcoming Crawley from League Two. The visitors have recently appointed former Liverpool player Harry Kewell as manager. As a quirky side point, East Grinstead is probably most famous for being home to lots of different religious groups with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and The Church of Scientology both having a significant presence in the town.

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GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

About Me

I'm a QPR fan and follower of Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League.
In 2010 I set up Non-League Day to help promote semi-professional and grassroots football. I'm hoping that TLFG will help provide a similar boost for football clubs around the capital.
I also worked at BBC Sport for 10 years before it relocated to Salford but decided not to go, such was my love of London.